During pregnancy, you want to do everything you can to keep your baby safe. Here are some straight answers on whether it's safe to

Drink alcohol? Doctors and researchers have not been able to determine a "safe level" of alcohol use during pregnancy. Even as little as one drink per day during pregnancy may cause behavior and learning problems in the baby. For this reason, it's best to completely avoid drinking alcohol when you are pregnant. Try not to worry if you had a couple of drinks a couple of times before you realized you were pregnant - it's very unlikely that this will cause a problem for the baby. But now that you know you're pregnant, it's time to say "no thanks" to alcohol.

Have a dental X-ray? Ideally, you should have the dental X-rays you need before you become pregnant so that you don't need to have any during pregnancy. But if you did have a dental X-ray when you were pregnant, don't worry. As long as an appropriate radiation shield was used, dental X-rays are relatively safe.

Change the cat's litter box? Cat feces can carry a parasite that causes toxoplasmosis, an infection that can cause severe damage to the baby. Avoid changing the cat's litter box while you're pregnant. If there's no one else to do it for you, wear gloves and thoroughly wash your hands afterwards. You should follow the same precautions when gardening, because even if you don't have a cat, neighbourhood cats may be using your garden as a washroom.

Sit in a hot tub? Anything that raises your body temperature above 38.3°C (101°F) could damage the baby, so hot tubs and saunas are a no-no while you're pregnant. Sometimes, birthing pools are used during labour – check with your doctor or midwife about a safe temperature for the water.

Have sex? For most women with uncomplicated pregnancies, it's completely fine to have sex during pregnancy. But check with your doctor or midwife to make sure it's okay.

Take over-the-counter medications? Some medications, such as acetaminophen (e.g., Tylenol®) and calcium carbonate, are safe to use during pregnancy, as long as you do not exceed the recommended dosage. But many over-the-counter medications are not safe for the baby. Check with your pharmacist before choosing an over-the-counter medication.

Have a flu shot? Flu shots are safe, and even recommended, for pregnant women. But as with anyone else, pregnant women shouldn't have a flu shot if they're allergic to eggs or had a severe reaction to the flu shot in the past.

Douche? Avoid douching during pregnancy. It increases the risk of pelvic infections, and many douches contain ingredients that could harm the baby.

If you have any other questions about what's safe during pregnancy, talk to your doctor or midwife.